How to Fix Problems When Windows Installer or Uninstaller Doesn’t Work

It isn’t uncommon for something to go wrong when installing, uninstalling, or updating a program on a Windows system. For example, you might get an error message like one of the following:

The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed.

Windows Installer Service couldn’t be started.

Could not start the Windows Installer service on Local Computer. Error 5: Access is denied.

This happens often enough that Microsoft provides a special troubleshooter for fixing this sort of problem. The Fixit can be run at this Microsoft page. The screenshot below shows the Fixit. If you prefer to try to solve a problem yourself, Microsoft also gives instructions for a manual procedure.

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Comments

Trying to install Steady State on a XP machine for a websurfer build. Couldn't get the Windows Installer to run, tried looking for 3rd party msi installers and while on the UBCD4WIN page saw a link to a freeware list. Thought I'd search the homepage for 'msi' 'installer' to see what comes up, got to this page. Very nice, this helped - Somehow I had the service turned off! I would never have thought to look at that setting. I was about to give up on my carefully hoarded install file and purchase [edit]. You just saved me $45, thanks guys!